The cosmopolitan Seychellois are a colourful and harmonious blend of different races, which stem from African, European and Asian roots all of whom have brought something of their own customs and way of life to the islands. The result is a charming Creole culture enriched from the melting pot of many continents.
There are three official languages – English, French and Creole. Creole is spoken by everyone and is an adaptation of 17th Century French with additional words and expressions coming from African languages and from Madagascar. It has been elevated to national language status, earning the same respect as English and French. Today Creole is a written as well as a spoken language, which has resulted in an outburst of creativity in plays, poetry and prose.
The population of Seychelles stands at 87,000 of which 78,000 live on Mahe, in particular around the capital Victoria, some 7,000 on Praslin and the remainder on La Digue and scattered among the rest of the islands.
Roman Catholiscism is the dominant religion, but there are also Anglican and Protestant churches together with smaller Muslim, Hindu and Baha’i communities based on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.
Country Profile
Titles |
Information |
---|---|
Head of State |
H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan |
Head of Government ( if applicable) |
- |
Capital City |
Victoria |
Independence Day |
29 June 1976 |
Official Languages |
French, English,Seychellois Creole (Kreol) |
Currency |
Seychellois Rupee (SCR) ( 1 Rs = 100 cents) |
Area/Size of country (km²) |
455 |
Natural resources |
fish (mostly tuna), cinnamon, copra |
Government website link |
|
Statistical indicators |
Please refer to the latest SADC Statistics Yearbook |
Seychelles SADC National Focal Point
Ambassador Barry Faure Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs & the Blue Economy SADC National Contact Point Email: bfaure@gov.sc
Dr Marina Confait Principal Secretary Department of Foreign Affairs CC : clency.estico@gov.sc; mconfait@gov.sc; jlouise@mfa.gov.sc Ms Amenda Padayachy Director General of the Division responsible for SADC, The Division of International Cooperation & Regional Intergration Email: apadayachy@mfa.gov.sc
Mr Rodney Sinon Second Secretary New Desk Officer for SADC International Cooperation and Regional Integration Division Email: rsinon@mfa.gov.sc
Mr Jean-Phillip Banane Third Secretary & Alternate Organisation Manager for SADC Email: jpbanane@mfa.gov.sc
H.E. Mrs Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre High Commissioner High Commission of the Republic of Seychelles Delmondo Office Park, Block C, Ground Floor 169 Garsfontein Road Ashley Garden PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27 12 348 0270 +27 12 346 4687 Fax: +27 12 346 4698 Email: sez@seychelleshc.co.za marosequatre@seychelles.co.za |